Dr Gcina Mhlophe was born in Hammarsdale in KwaZulu-Natal. She is an author, playwright and performer.

She was influenced by her grandmother’s tales when she was a child. Mhlophe’s written and performance talent has transported her from South Africa to North America to Europe and Japan.

She has performed her stories in theatres such as the Royal Albert Hall, the Kennedy Centre in the US and she has collaborated with Ladysmith Black Mambazo on a children’s CD.

Dr Mhlophe has won numerous awards including the Sony Award for Radio Drama from BBC Africa, The Fringe First Award at the Edinburgh Festival and an OBBIE Award in New York.

She has received honorary doctorates from the London Open University (UK); University of KwaZulu-Natal; Pretoria University and Fort Hare, for a body of work that has contributed to Literature and helping to preserve the heritage of African storytelling.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe – Poet Storyteller

Dr Mhlophe has worked tirelessly for the past eleven years, running the NOZINCWADI Mother of Books Literacy Campaign to help make South Africa a ‘reading nation’.

In April 2012, she was awarded her fifth Honorary Doctorate by the University of Johannesburg. MZANSI MAGIC TV Channel gave her the National Icon Award in May 2012.

2013 sees the launch of the GCINAMASIKO Arts & Heritage Trust, which is the umbrella body where all of her other projects are hosted and produced.

Dr Gcina Mhlophe is a motivational speaker, MC and storyteller.

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